Carrying case



Feb. .26, 1935. H, H LABADlE ET AL 1,992,435

CARRYING CASE Filed July 1, 1932 Inlfenm [Ha an [e and Patented Feb. 26, 1935 UNITED STATES CARRYING CASE Harry B. Labadie, Chicago, andBurton B. Beers, Park Ridge, Ill.

Application July 1, 1932, SerialNo. 620,412

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in a carrying-case and more especially inan improved case of the type comprising a plurality of superposed trays, the case being adapted for simultaneously delivering an order and displaying a line of samples.

When certain lines of merchandise. are sold and delivered directly to the homes of the purchasers, the order is carried from the delivery 0 wagon into the house in a suitable basket or similar carrying device. It is desirable to also carry into the house a line of samples; (in addition to the order that is being delivered) and the carrying case forming the particular subject matter of this invention is especially adapted for performing both of these functions. Briefly described, the case comprises a plurality of trays (usually three) having closed bottom sides and ends and open at the top, the trays being stacked upon one another when in carrying position so as to entirely close all except the uppermost tray. in which the order to be delivered is carried. The trays are connected by suitable links so that they may be extended laterally in stepped relation so as to expose the samples carried in the lower trays. Improved means is provided'for supporting the upper trays when the trays are extended laterally, and for carrying the stacked trays.

The principal object of this invention is to provide an improved carrying-case of the type briefly described hereinabove and disclosed more in detail in the specifications which follow.

Another object is to provide, an improved support for a series of trays extended laterally in stepped relation.

Another object is to provide an improved means for carrying a series of stacked trays so that the load is supported from the lowermost tray, and the handle may be moved out of obstructing position when the trays are extended. Another object is to provide an improved billholding pocket on a carrying case of the type hereinabove set forth.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be more apparent from the following detailed description of one approved form of carrying device embodying the principles of this invention.

In the accompanying drawing:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred form of carrying case in stacked or carrying position.

55 Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the case shown in Fig. 1 when extended so ples.

The carrying case comprises in general a plurality or similar trays A, B and C, a supporting device D, and carrying handle E. The trays A, B 5 and C may all be of similar construction, each comprising a bottom, closed sides and ends and an open top. The trays are preferably of similar length and width but may be of difierent heights as shown in the drawing. In the form here shown, the trays are made of fiber-board folded into shape and riveted together, as shown atl, and connected by corner straps 2. This provides a strong, economical and light construction. It will be understood that any other suitable materials and means for assembling and holding together the parts of the trays may be used without departing from the principles of this invention.

The several trays are connected together at the ends by a link mechanism which is well known in this art so that the trays may be moved from the stacked relation shown in Fig. 1 to the extended or stepped relation shown in Fig. 2, but are held together in either of these positions. This link mechanism consists of metal straps 3 which are secured horizontally across the respective ends of the trays, and links 4, 5 and 6. In the three-tray assembly here shown, the link 4 is pivoted at its lower end 7 to the central portion of the strip 3 on the lowermost tray A, and is pivoted at its upper end 8 to one end of the strap 3 on the intermediate tray B. The strap 5 (which is substantially twice the length of the straps 4 and 6) is pivoted at its lower end 9 and upper end 10 to the opposite ends of the straps 3 on the lower tray A and upper tray C, respectively, and is intermediately pivoted at 11 to the middle portion of the strap 3 on the intermediate tray B. The link 6 is pivoted at its lower end 12 to the rear end of strap 3 on intermediate tray B, and is pivoted at its upper end, 13 to the central portion of strap 3 on the upper tray 0. Of course, this series of links is repeated on the other ends of the trays. It will be understood that four or more trays can be connected in this same manner by simply increasing the number of links. When the trays are swung to stacked position, as shown in Fig. 1, the intermediate tray B will rest upon the upper edges of lower 50 tray A; and the upper tray C will rest on tray B so that trays A and B will be completely closed, only the contents of the upper trays C being exposed. Acover can be provided for the upper tray if desired. It the lower tray is held in place as to display the samand one of the upper trays is swung laterally, the system of links will cause all of the trays to be extended in stepped relation, as shown in Fig. 2, so that the front edge portion of an upper tray will rest upon the rear edge portion of the next lower tray and the contents of all of the trays will be exposed.

The standard D is provided for supporting the uppermost trays and preventing the assembly from tipping over when the trays are extended, as shown in Fig. 2. In the form here shown the member D is in the form of a flat panel or board having a length corresponding to that of the trays and a height similar to that of trays A and B combined. The panel is secured to the rear side of the intermediate tray B so that when the trays are stacked, as shown in Fig. 1, the panel will lay flatly against the aligned sides of trays A and B with its lower edge adjacent the ground or other surface on which the stack is supported. It will now be apparent that when the trays are extended, as shown in Fig. 2, the member D will serve as a support for the rear portion of intermediate tray B and for the upper tray 0 which is supported on tray B. If desired, this panel could be attached to one of the upper trays of the series, but its height should in any case be suflicient to reach to the supporting surface upon which the lowermost tray rests.

Preferably a suitable pocket 14 is provided on the exposed face of panel D. This pocket may be used for holding bills and order books or other similar articles.

The handle E is provided for carrying the stacked trays, and since the link mechanism is not suitable for supporting the lower trays from the upper tray, if these trays are carrying heavy merchandise, it is desirable that the handle be provided with connections extending to the lowermost tray so that the weight may be carried by this lowermost .tray and transferred directly to the handle E. The handle E is bail-shaped and comprises a cross member 15 to be gripped by the hand, and downwardly projecting arms 16 which are intermediately pivoted at 17 to the respective ends of the upper tray C. The arms 16 project beyond the pivot 17, as shown at 18, and are provided with outwardly projecting pins or studs 19. When the trays are extended, the handle may be swung back about its pivotal connection 17, as shown in Fig. 2, so as to permit free access to the goods carried in the upper tray C. A pair of links 20 are pivoted at their lower ends 21 to the ends of the lowermost tray A. The upper and central portions of the links 20 are adapted to slide through suitable loops or guides 22 which are pivotally mounted on the straps 3 of the intermediate tray B. The upper ends of the links 20 are slotted as shown at 23 to provide upper hooked ends 24 which engage over the pins or studs 19 on the lower end portions of the handle or ball.

When the trays are stacked, as shown in Fig. l, the weight of the lowermost tray A and of the trays B and C resting thereon will be transferred through links 20 and the pin and slot connections 19 and 23 to the carrying handle B. By simply swinging handle E to the rear, the pins 19 will be moved out of the slots 23 and the handle disconnected from the links 20. If the lower "tray A is full of samples or other merchandise, the weight of this goods will be suflicient to hold the lower tray A in place so that by simply pulling rearwardly on the handle E or the uppermost tray C, the trays may be moved to the extended position shown in Fig. 2. In a similar manner the trays may be closed or stacked by simply swinging the uppermost tray C forwardly, and when the handle E is swung up to vertical position, it will automatically become locked with the upper ends of the carrying links 20. Obviously the supporting standard D moves out to the supporting position shown in Fig. 2 when the trays are extended and moved back against the side of the assembly as shown in Fig. 1 when the trays are returned to stacked position.

In the preferred method of use, a more or less permanent line of samples is carried in the lower trays A and B, and the goods to be delivered into the house are placed in the upper tray C. The

stacked carrying case is then taken into the house, and either before or after the goods to be delivered are removed from the upper tray C, the trays maybe quickly extended, as shown in Fig. 2, so as to expose the samples carried in the lower trays. The bills or order blanks are conveniently carried in the pocket 14 so as to be readily accessible at all times.

We claim:

1. A carrying-case comprising a plurality of trays, links connecting said trays at the ends so that the trays may be stacked above one another or extended laterally in stepped relation to expose the contents of each tray,means attached to an upper tray for supporting the upper trays when the trays are extended, a bail-shaped handle having arms projecting downwardly over the ends of the, upper tray and pivoted thereto, links connected with the lowermost tray and projecting upwardly at the ends of the trays, and connecting means on the handle and the upper end portions of the last mentioned links which move into engagement when the trays are stacked and the handle is swung to vertical position.

2. A carrying-case comprising a plurality of trays, links connecting said trays at the ends so that the trays may be stacked above one another or extended laterally in stepped relation to expose the contents of each tray, means attached to an upper tray for supporting the upper trays when the trays are extended, a bail-shaped handle having arms projecting downwardly over the ends of the upper tray and pivoted thereto, links pivotally attached at their lower ends to the ends of the lowermost tray and slidably connected intermediate their ends with an intermediate tray, and detachable means adapted to connect the upper ends of the links with the arms of the handle Y when the trays are stacked.

3. A carrying-case comprising a "plurality of trays, links connecting said trays at the ends so that the trays may be stacked above one another or extended laterally in stepped relation to expose the contents of each tray, a vertically positioned standard attached to one of the uppertrays adjacent an outer side thereof and adapted to rest on the surface which supports the lower tray to support the upper trays when extended, a bailshaped carrying handle having arms projecting downwardly over the ends of the uppermost tray and pivoted thereto, links pivotally connected at their lower ends with the ends of the lowermost tray and slidably connected intermediate their ends with an intermediate tray, and detachable means adapted to connect the upper ends of the links with the arms of the handle when the trays are stacked.

4. A carrying-case comprising a plurality of trays, links connecting said trays at the ends so that the trays may be stacked above one another or extended laterally in stepped relation to expose the contents of each tray, a vertically positioned standard attached to one of the upper trays adjacent an outer side thereof and adapted to rest on the surface which supports the lower tray to support the upper trays when extended, a bail-shaped carrying handle having arms extending downwardly over the ends of the upper tray and pivoted intermediately thereto, links pivotally connected at their lower ends to the ends of the lowermost tray, guides mounted on the ends of an intermediate tray through which the links slide, and interlocking connections formed on the lower ends of the handle arms and the upper ends of the links respectively, said connections engaging when the trays are stacked and the handle is swung to vertical position.

5. A carrying-case comprising a plurality of trays, links connecting said trays at the ends so that the trays may be stacked above one another or extended laterally in stepped relation to expose the contents of each tray, a vertically positioned standard attached to one of the upper trays adjacent an outer side thereof and adapted to rest on the surface which supports the lower tray to support the upper trays when extended. a pocket formed on the outer face of the standard, a bail-shaped carrying handle having arms extending downwardly over the ends of the upper tray and pivoted intermediately thereto, links pivotally connected at their lower ends to the ends of the lowermost tray, guides mounted on the ends of an intermediate tray through which the links slide, and interlocking connections formed on the lower ends of the handle arms and the upper ends of the links respectively, said connections engaging when the trays are stacked and the handle is swung to vertical position.

HARRY H. LABADIE. BURTON B. BEERS. 

